Artists

Bale

Founder of Por Vida tattoo, Bale started tattooing in 2005 and specializes in freehand black and gray realism. When Bale is not working on his next client’s tattoo, he enjoys illustration and reading.  Bale enjoys following in the footsteps of other legendary tattoo artists such as Porky, Mr. Went, and also looks up to Brian Everett.  He loves keeping the tradition of tattooing going. He always brings his passion for tattoos and art to any project he takes on.

Sneez

Sneez started tattooing at 17, almost 15 years ago! His style is realistic black and grey and has always looked up to Bale, Mr. Went, Porky and Dano.  He is self-taught and never had an apprenticeship.  Sneez started tattooing out of his house and then started with Por Vida Tattoo since day one in 2006.

Nore

Nore’s first few tattoos were in 1995 and he didn’t take it seriously while working at a shop until 1997.  He likes to be well rounded and does everything from black and grey portraits to traditional color work.  Jaime Trujillo and Brandon “Porky” Lepore were two influential people in his tattoo development.

Nore never did a traditional apprenticeship, he just grew up in the hood and was able to tattoo early on.  “There are not many careers people wake up excited to do every day.  It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn since 8 years old.  Tattooing decides for you what you want.”

Helm

Being a tattoo artist, a question that Helm gets often is how did he get started in tattooing?  Not your average tattoo artist, Helm first had to learn the basics such as how to draw.  His older brother Bale was his mentor and after seeing what his brother was doing he wanted to know if he also had tattooing in him.  He has been tattooing for 5 years and is learning to be well rounded in every style.  “Getting better is always the goal and I won’t stop till I’m the best version of myself that I can be!”

Aleh

Aleh has been around tattoo shops since he was 13 years old.  He was influenced by the tattoos on his family members and always admired them.  He had some homies that had tattoo equipment and they would mess around and tattoo each other.  That’s when his career started and he instantly fell in love with it.  Aleh has been tattooing since 2007 and was self-taught until he got into a tattoo shop at 17 years old and then got his license.  From there he went to Por Vida Tattoo and has been there since 2010.  He loves tattooing in every style but does more traditional bold colors.  His mentors are Porky, Kane, Bale and Mr. Went.

Urban

Tattoo Artist Urban has been tattooing since 2016 after literally quitting his job one day to pursue tattooing and art. It has been a crazy journey and he is thankful for taking the leap of faith and trusting in himself and the process. Today, he is obsessed with the Tattoo culture, Art, Traveling and everything that comes with it. It’s a real dream come true.

“I have gained so much knowledge from Bale and Sneez as mentors, you can’t go wrong.” 

Urban has been with Por Vida Tattoo since 2014 and says he has learned so much from everyone that he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!  “Its all Love its all Family.”

Ivan

Ivan aka Yuhcreep got into the tattoo business around 2008 and started at Por Vida Tattoo working as the counter guy and everything else is history.  He has been tattooing since about 2014 and is mainly known for his American Traditional Tattoos, however, he loves all styles.  His mentors are the tattoo artist at Por Vida Tattoo, everyone has different styles so we are are constantly learning.  He feels fortunate to be at Por Vida Tattoo!

Oven

Oven was introduced to tattooing through graffiti and older friends with tattoos.  Apprenticed by Nore in 2008, Oven has been tattooing at Por Vida since 2017.  His style would best be described as a mixture of American traditional and influences from graffiti and old cartoons.  He is always open for new tattoo ideas and “is ready to give your design a unique twist!”

Myra

Myra was introduced to tattooing by her first mentor and friend Josh Escobedo (Tek) in El Paso, TX.  She started tattooing in 2012 at Sun City Tattoo and finished her apprenticeship under Fonze Calderon but it was definitely an effort by the whole shop and she learned from everyone that she worked with by watching her fellow artist and practicing on her friends. “I wouldn’t say I have a set style, I just like tattooing what I like.”

Jay (Piercer)

Jay became interested in piercing by hanging out at a friends shop, so he took an anatomy class and started spending time around other piercers until he obtained formal lessons from A2 (Por Vidas original piercer).  He has always looked up to Piercers Steve Truit, Noah Babcock as well as Spoon from La’s Under the Gun.  Jay is going on 12 years and does all kinds of piercings but not scarification or suspensions!  Jay has a way of making his clients feel comfortable and finds gratification when they return.

Julio

Apprentice

Nacho

Apprentice

Josh

I’ve been interested in tattooing since high-school but never thought I would actually do it.  I had an opportunity to try at 18 in 2011 and haven’t looked back.  After six months into my apprenticeship, I quit my job to chase tattooing full time and would do anything that walked through the door. Now I only work in Blank and Grey and mostly large scale work.

It was always a dream to tattoo and now I am living it at the best shop in New Mexico!